Writing a Book for Children: Book Talk by Liz Hansen & Makaella Mitchell
What: Writing a Book for Children
When: 4 p.m., Tuesday, April 25, 2023
Where: Burling First Floor Lounge
Please join the Grinnell College Libraries at 4 p.m., April 25, as we continue our Faculty/Staff Research Series with Liz Hansen, program coordinator, and Makaella Mitchell, freelance artist, for a talk on their book, Daisy’s Tale [ISBN: 9780578294131], and the writing and publication process for children’s books. Refreshments will be served.
Liz Hansen
Liz Hansen is the program coordinator for collective impact in the Office of Community Partnerships, Planning, and Research. Her duties include collaborating with community partners on the focus areas of equity, family engagement, digital equity, and literacy. Working closely with Grinnell Education Partnership (GEP) Project Coordinator Jill Harris, they design training and convene the GEP Summer Learning program to help support enrichment and literacy-building programming for youth in Grinnell.
Before joining the staff in 2017, Hansen completed a 32-year career teaching high school English and speech in the Grinnell-Newburg Community School District. A graduate of Iowa State University with a bachelor’s degree in speech and theatre, she also holds a master’s degree in education from Viterbo University. Hansen also serves as the executive director of the Grinnell Newburg School Foundation and received the GPCF Spirit of Giving award in 2020. She previously served as president of the Grinnell League of Women Voters and was inducted into the Iowa High School Speech Association’s Hall of Fame in 2016.
Since publishing the book, Hansen has partnered with the Greater Poweshiek County Foundation (GPCF) and the Pioneer Bookshop in Grinnell to raise awareness about pet adoptions at PALS (Poweshiek Animal League Shelter) located south of Grinnell. Everyone who donates $10 to GPCF or purchases a copy of the book at the Pioneer Bookstore for the same amount receives the book with all the proceeds going to PALS.
Makaella Mitchell
Makaella Mitchell is a freelance artist currently living in Grinnell, Iowa. She has been doing freelance work for about six years now and has worked with a variety of people including Liz Hansen as well as the Multiverse Comic shop located here in Grinnell. Along with art, she also works as a teller at our local Wells Fargo. She has been there for over 3 years. One day, she hopes to create her own business and focus on art for her full-time job.
Makaella is a Grinnell High School alumni and graduated in 2016. She decided to stick around town for a while and see what kind of opportunities would present themselves. From there, she has worked these two jobs. Being a freelance artist is wonderful for her because she can meet so many different kinds of people. She hopes to continue to be able to work like this.